Golf practice apparatus

Abstract

A golf practice apparatus (10) which automatically dispenses and tees golf balls (19) is disclosed herein. Depressing a foot pedal (41) coupled to a main shaft (42) actuates a reciprocating ball dispenser (50) which dispenses a single golf ball (19) to be teed upon a ball support (102). Releasing the foot pedal (41) causes an air cylinder (111) to raise the ball support (102) and teed golf ball (19) into a position for driving. The golf practice apparatus (10) of the present invention is characterized by its simplicity of function and ability to be transported by the average user.

We claim: 
     
       1. A golf practice apparatus, comprising: (a) a base, said base including a generally planar practice surface, said base having opposing ends;   (b) ball support means for supporting at least one golf ball;   (c) ball guide means , said ball guide means coupled to said base, said ball support means slidably disposed within said ball guide means;   (d) a ball passageway, said ball passageway having first and second ends, said first end adapted for receiving a plurality of golf balls, said ball passageway communicating with said ball guide means;   (e) ball dispensing means for dispensing a golf ball into said ball guide means, said ball dispensing means coupled to said ball passageway;   (f) reciprocating means for imparting reciprocating motion to said ball dispensing means;   (g) actuating means for actuating said ball dispensing means and said ball support means, said actuating means including a pedal pivotally coupled to a substantially linear main shaft, said main shaft having first and second ends, said first end pivotally coupled to a one of said opposing ends of said base;   (h) said reciprocating means including coupling means for operatively coupling said reciprocating means to said second end of said main shaft; and   (i) a riser rod, said riser rod operatively coupled to said ball support means, said riser rod and said ball support means movable by actuation of said main shaft.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said actuating means simultaneously actuates said ball dispensing means and said ball support means. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising resetting means for placing said ball support means and said actuating means into a reset position. 
     
     
       4. A golf practice apparatus, comprising: (a) a base having a plurality of sides and a substantially planar practice surface, said base having opposing ends;   (b) ball support means for supporting a golf ball;   (c) bass guide means, said ball guide means coupled to said base, said ball support means slidably disposed within said ball guide means;   (d) a ball passageway, said ball passageway having first and second ends, said first end adapted for receiving a plurality of golf balls, said second end communicating with said ball guide means;   (e) ball dispensing means for selectively dispensing a golf ball from said ball passageway into said ball guide means, said ball dispensing means coupled to said ball passageway;   (f) reciprocating means for imparting reciprocating motion to said ball dispensing means;   (g) actuating means for actuating both said ball dispensing means and said ball support means, said actuating means including a pedal pivotally coupled to a substantially linear main shaft, said main shaft having first and second ends, said first end pivotally coupled to a one of said opposing ends of said base;   (h) said reciprocating means including coupling means for operatively coupling said reciprocating means to said second end of said main shaft; and   (i) a riser rod, said riser rod operatively coupled to said ball support means, said riser rod and said ball support means movable by actuation of said main shaft.   
     
     
       5. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said actuating means simultaneously actuates said ball dispensing means and said ball support means. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said elevating means simultaneously elevates said ball support means and said actuating means into a reset position. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said ball dispensing means comprises: (a) an upper arm, said upper arm having first and second ends;   (b) a lower arm, said lower arm having first and second ends;   (c) said upper and lower arms being separated by a gap, said first ends of said upper and lower arms extending into said ball passageway, said upper and lower arms slidably disposed in said ball passageway; and   (d) said second ends of said upper and lower arms coupled to a plate.   
     
     
       8. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the width of said gap between said upper and lower arms is approximate to the diameter of a golf ball. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said upper and lower arms are substantially elongate, whereby said upper and lower arms effectively block said ball passageway, and inhibit the passage of said golf balls. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said upper and lower arms are substantially tapered at said first ends. 
     
     
       11. A golf practice apparatus, comprising: (a) a base having a plurality of sides and a substantially planar practice surface, said base having opposing ends;   (b) ball support means for supporting a golf ball;   (c) a ball passageway, said ball passageway having first and second ends, said first end adapted for receiving a plurality of golf balls;   (d) ball guide means, said ball guide means coupled to said base and communicating with said second end of said ball passageway, said ball support means slidably disposed within said ball guide means;   (e) ball dispensing means for selectively dispensing a one of said golf balls from said ball passageway into said ball guide means, said ball dispensing means coupled to said passageway;   (f) reciprocating means for imparting reciprocating motion to said ball dispensing means, said reciprocating means including a return spring;   (g) actuating means for simultaneously actuating both said ball support means and said ball dispensing means, said actuating means including a pedal pivotally coupled to a substantially linear main shaft, said main shaft having first and second ends, said first end pivotally coupled to a one of said opposing ends of said base;   (h) said reciprocating means including coupling means for operatively coupling said reciprocating means to said second end of said main shaft; and   (i) a riser rod, said riser rod operatively coupled to said ball support means, said riser rod and said ball support means movable by actuation of said main shaft.   
     
     
       12. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said ball dispensing means reciprocates between a first position and a second position, said first position allowing a first of one of said balls to travel down said ball passageway to said ball support means while simultaneously inhibiting the travel of said remaining balls in said ball passageway, said second position allowing a second of one of said balls in said ball passageway to be readied for dispensing. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said actuating means: (a) a bracket disposed about said main shaft; and   (b) a height adjustment means coupled to said bracket, said height adjustment means limiting the vertical travel of said main shaft and said ball support means.   
     
     
       14. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said elevating means includes an air cylinder coupled to said main shaft. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said ball dispensing means comprises: (a) an upper arm, said upper arm having first and second ends;   (b) a lower arm, said lower arm having first and second ends;   (c) said upper and lower arms being separated by a gap, said first ends of said upper and lower arms extending into said ball passageway, said upper and lower arms slidably disposed in said ball passageway;   (d) said second ends of said upper and lower arms coupled to a plate.   
     
     
       16. An apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein the width of saie gap between said upper and lower arms is approximate to the diameter of a golf ball. 
     
     
       17. An apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said upper and lower arms are substantially elongate, whereby said upper and lower arms effectively block said ball passageway, and inhibit the passage of said golf balls. 
     
     
       18. An apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said upper and lower arms are substantially tapered at said first ends.